Clutch.



0. G. PFEIFFER.

CLUTCH.

1,153,854, l l Patemzegis 1915.

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CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED .IULY I4, 1913.

1, 153,85. Patented Sept. 14, 1915.

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' 'ya' .2 f 'Y :Of-TTC G. 22EFLE.'FITEE.J 1ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, .ASSIGNOR T0 DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, OF {SALU-LAKE CITY, Uil-AH, .AXGOQRPORATJON OFlUTAl-I.

QLUTCH- Specification of Letters Patent.

Ratentedent. 14,1915.

'Application led 11113114, 1913. Serial No3-779,010.

yTo all whom t m ajz/ concern Be 1t alrnownithat I, Oie'roiG. PFEIFFER, a

`citizen of-.the .United States, .and residing :at .'St. Louis, iin the vState of Missouri, have invented ycertain new and =useful Improve ments :in Clutches, ,off `which .the following is l.vided for insuring .that the bandwill engage the friction .surface .uniformly .alongitheen ztire :face vof the band, and :no means areprovided for `insuring that ithis band A.will be vgradually vapplied and positively released.

The result :therefore `ist'hat it is never possible to utilize the ,entire i600 .arc ,of con tact. Moreover since the engagement is not gradual -theband `is liable to engage with a slap, .thus causing =u-ndue rstrains 4on athe mechanism.

The objects of this invention are therefore to construct a clutch'in which .the band will grip the drum along the entire .circumfer- .ential .surface ofthe band, andin which .the

gripping arc will A.extend.uniformlyforprac- :,tically :8600; and which `is -so constructed that it can lbe :positively and gradually .en-

gaged and released.

Further lobjects are lto improve .fthe clutch as :to details, and further objects will appear from the detail .description taken in connec- .tion with the accompanying drawings, in

which: l

'Figure 1 is a lseetionfon the -line 1 1 Fig. 2,'theshield or cover being removed to show theclutch mechanism inelevation, Fig. 2 'is a sectionon the line 2 2 Fig. 1, iF ig. 3 is a section on Athe li-ne 3 Fig. f2, `Fig. 1 is a section on the vline 4 4: Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a section on the 'line 5-5 Fig. 1, Fig. 6 isa side view :of onexof the toggle links, and Fig. Tis an edge view. l

Referring to the .accompanying drawings, 10 ,and 11 designate a pair .of shafts, .either one of which Ina-y ybe the driving .or driven shaft. 1n automobile practice .the shaft 10 is generally the driving Ashaft while 11 is the driven shaft. rThe 4.shaft 10 has vbolted thereon a 'fly wheel 127 which `is machined at 13 to form an inside friction surface. The shaft 10 has formed thereon or secured other .end against the ring21.

vthereto Ya lstub shaft orentension 114 which supports the hub 15 of a spider through an anti-friction sleeve 318. Tlfis-hubihas an end :bearing .against la roller thrust Y'bearing 16 lmountedion a reduced portion vof Vthe stub shaft '.14 .and .secured Iinposition Eby a Tnut 17. :A hollowvshafft orsleeve 19-ismounted upon :the hub 15,=and thissleeve shafthas afiiange 20 towhich is bolted `a ring-21. "This -ring is-split along the @vertical llines "in Fig. :1, so as :fto :form .two thalves, and these halves are .secured :in fposition iby -means of bolts l22 passing through 2.the .ring and the flange. The hub 115 is .recessed to dreceive a spring v23 lwhichfbears .at one .end against a ringer `collarf'24 thifadedon ithehub 15, and Eat its The .sleeve .19 and its attached :ring -21 .are .moved to the .left JFig. A2 iby means l,of `the spring 23, Vand `moved .to :the lright by meansdof .a Afork 25 :mounted .von .an operating shaft 26 and .engaging `a .ring 2.7 set into #the Asleeve 19.

The -movement `of the .sleeve 219 to the left -is r:limited by the .engagementof the shoulder28 withzthezring o rco'l-.lar 241. The-sleeve 19 ,has vaneXtension 29 which has a :sliding engagement with a T head .80 .on the shaft 111 to form -a coupling. 'The hub T15 and Asleeve 18 .are .perforated to :provi-ide oil or grease passages, :and .a grease .cup 31 is screwed on the vsleeve shaft l19 vto lubricate 'the bearings. It will be understood vthat the `operating' shaft 26 .is :provided with a lever .or .pedal whereby it may be rocked.

The -spider hub 15 has mounted thereon or formed integral therewith a'series of ra dial -arms '35 and :36, the arms .36 being recessed-as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Theiarms have V.rigidly secured 7thereto, as l'by rivet ving, .pins Y3.7 which. slide Xin apertures =formed in bosses 38.0nrthe ring 521. These fpins act as vtorsion devices ',to .connect -the clutch spider .with the sleeve shaft 119, so that this clutch lspider and sleeve shaft rwill turn together rand with :the .shaft 11, at the same time .permitting .fthe `slee-ve shaft `to slide vwith .respectzto the 'spider hub, which is held against endwise :movement @between fthe flywheel afnd the I.roller bearing'l A. pair of 'band-clutch rshoes 139 .are .mounted on the spider :tegengage the .friction lsurface '13, and .these clutch shoes form rtogether an arc of nearly 360o. The arm-s y35 .have mounted therein pins 40, .which pins are :preferably lGO riveted in the arms and provided vwith collars 41. The pins engage radially extending slots 42 in radially extending lugs 43 on the brake shoes, and these slots are both longer and slightly wider thanY the diameters of the pins-40 as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The lugs 43 are secured n position on the pins 40 by means of nuts 44 and washers 45 bearing against'shoulders on the pins; A slight amount of play is allowed so that the clutch shoes can move a slight amount along the pins and transversely of the frictiony surface 13.

rI he arms 36 have mounted therein pins 47 which engage slots 48 in the arms; Each pin 47 is provided with a collar 49bearing against one face of the arm, and'with a reduced threaded portion 50 forming a shoulder against which bears a washer 51 secured in position by means of a nut l52. The pin 47 will thus have a movement radially of the arm and a slight movement circumferentially along the friction surface y13. The clutch shoes 39 are provided with end lugs 53 receiving bolts 54. The bolts 54 in theadjacent shoe ends are connected with thefpin 47 by means of toggle links 55, shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7. A clevis 56 is mounted onv each pin 47, and this clevis is connected to lugs 57 on the ring 21 -by means of a link 58 pivotallyconnected to the clevis and lugs by means of bolts 59 and 60 respectively. The link 58 forms a turn buckle of which 61' is the adjustable vmember. As .shown in Fig. 5,V there is. a

slight amount of end play between the clevis 5G and the link 58 to permit a slight movement of this clevis and the pin 47 along or circumferentially of the friction surface 13. As shown in Fig. 3, there is also a slight amount of end play of the clevis 56 and the links 55 on the pin 47. The mechanism is inclosed by a cover or shield 65 bolted to the ily wheel, and having an inwardly turned flange 66 coperating with the periphery of the ring 21 to form a comparatively closed joint.

In operation the clutch is thrown in.by moving the sleeve shaft 19 to the left, Fig. 2, and the clutch is thrown out by moving this sleeve shaft to the right. In automobile practice the clutch is normally thrown in by a strong spring, such Yas 23, andv is thrown out by the clutch pedal. In Figs. 1 and 2 the clutch is shown thrown in. When the sleeve shaft 19 is moved to the left Fig. 2 to the position shown, the links 58 will be thrown from an inclined position Yto a vertical position, and will operate to straighten the toggle links 55 and at the same time move these toggle links bodily in a radial direction. Such a movement will operate Vto first move the shoes bodily in a radial direction along the arms 35, sincethe straightening action of these toggles is under the greatest leverage, and then after the shoes are inengagement with the friction surface, the ends of .the shoes will move into engagement. When the sleeve shaft 19 is moved to the right, Fig. 2, the clutch shoes will be moved out of engagement with the friction surface 13, and in view of the positive connection between thel shoes, and between the shoes and the sleeve shaft 19, the release will be positive. In the released Vposition of the clutchthe toggle links 55 will not only be broken' so .as to move the clutch shoes bodily inwardly along the arms 35, but the toggles will be moved bodily inwardly so as to move the ends of the clutch shoes inwardly. 'Ihe` mechanism will therefore opevateto positively throw the clutch shoes out ofl engagement with the friction surface 13 at all points.

It will be noted that the clutch shoes are mounted intermediate their ends on the arms 35, so as not onlyl to move freely to.-

ward and from the friction surface'13, but also to permit slight movement along and transversely of the frictionsurface. VIt will also be noted that the pin 47 and itsV links 55 not only have free movements toward and from the friction surface, but also along the friction surface. In addition as pointed out above the clevis 55 and the links 58 have a slight amountof end play on the pin 47 and with respect to-the link 58. This permits free movement of the clutch shoes not only towardand from the friction surface. 13, but also circiunferentially along and transversely of the friction surface. rIhis results in a uniform engagement of the clutch shoes with the friction surface. If for instance one clutch shoe .or one clutch shoe end should engagethe friction surface before the other clutch shoe or the other clutch shoe end, the former will become an vabutment and will cause the latter to be thrown vinto engagement with the friction surface. Furthermore the slight amount of play allo-wed the clutch shoes along and transversely of the friction surface, due to the loose connection-between the actuator and the shoes, and between the shoes and their center supports, permits these clutch shoes to adapt themselves to the friction surface and allows one clutch shoe to adapt itself to the other. They parts are therefore so constructed and arranged as to equalize the movements of the shoes .into engagement with the friction surface and fcause them to bear equally thereon. The clutch shoes will therefo-re engage the friction surface uniformly along the entire arc of substantially 360. The positive connection of the clutchy shoes with the sleeve shaft 19 results in a positive engagement and release of the clutch shoes. The engagement and release is under perfect conand it 'is -to be understood vthat .this Vinvention is -notvto be limited tto the specific construction shown and described.

Certain .features rof this 'invention are ydisclosed .in my copending application, Serial Number 661,384, filed November A20, 1911, ibut the-invention is claimed broadly in this application.

Having .thus describedthe invention What is claimed is: f

1.A 'In a clutch, a .pair of clutch members, one of said clutch members having a friction surface, a pairv o f flexible-.band shoes adapted to expand and engage said friction surface, means for supporting said shoes-intermediate -their ends on the other yclutch member, constructed topermit free movementof said shoes at their ^points of support toward and from said friction surface, and means loosely connected to the free ends of said shoes for positively moving them toward and from said friction surface, constructed and arranged to equalize vthe movements of said shoes into engagement with said friction surface and cause them to bear equally on said friction surface.

2. In a clutch, a pair of clutch members, one lof said clutch members having a friction surface, a pair of band shoes adapted to expand and engage said friction surface, means for supporting said shoes intermediate their ends on the other clutch member, constructed to permit free movement of said shoes at their points of supporttoward and,

circumferentially of said Yfriction surface, and means loosely connected kto the free ends of said shoes for moving -them toward and from said friction surface, constructed and arranged -to equalize the movements of said shoes linto engagement With said friction surface and cause them to `bear equally on said friction surface.

3. In a clutch, a pair of clutch members, one of said clutch members having a friction surface, a pair of band shoes adapted to expand and engage said friction surface, means for supporting said shoes vintermediate their ends on Athe other clutch member, constructed to permit free movement of said shoes at their points of support toward, along, and transversely of said friction surface, and means connected-to the free ends of said shoes for moving .them toward and from said friction surface, constructed and arranged to equalize the movements of said shoes into engagement With said friction surface and cause them to bear equally on said friction surface.

4. In a clutch, a -pair of clutch members,

lone of said clutch members having a friction `sur-face, a pair of band shoes adapted ltoexpand and engage said friction surface, means for supporting said shoes intermediate their ends `on .the `other clutch member, constructed to permit :free movement of said shoes -at :their points of support, an actuator, Aand .links connecting the free ends of said shoes Vwith Tsaid actuator, constructed and arranged to equalize the movements of said shoes into .engagement with vvsaid friction `surface .and cause yzthem .to :bear equally on -said .friction surface.

-5. In aclutch, a :pairof clutch members, .one .of V`said clutch members having a fricltion surface, a band shoe adapted .to ,expand and lengage .said friction sur-face, means for supporting said rband shoe intermediate its ends .on-,theother clutch member, constructed to permit f-ree movement of said shoe at its vpoint of support :toward Aand from said frictionsurface, and means connected to the free endsof said shoe for positively moving .said shoe toward and rfrom said friction surface, constructed and arranged to equalize -the'movements `of the ends of said shoe into engagement with said friction surface.

6. In a clutch, a pair of clutch members, oneof said clutch members having a friction surface, a kband shoe adapted to expand and engagesaid friction surface, means for supporting said band shoe intermediate its ends on the other clutch member, constructed to permit free -movement of said shoe at its 1point of support toward and along said friction surface, and means connected to the freeends of said shoe for positively moving said shoe toward and from said friction surface, constructed and arranged to permit said free ends vto move eircumferentially `along said friction surface.

7. In a clutch, .a pair of clutch members, one of said clutch members having a fric- -tion surface, a band shoe adapted to expand and engage said friction surface, means for .supporting said band shoe intermediate its ends on Athe other clutch member, constructed to permit free vmovement of said shoe at ,its point of support toward, along, and

.transversely of said friction surface, and

means connected tothe free ends of said shoe for moving said shoe toward and from said friction surface, constructed and arranged to permit said free ends to .move along and transversely lof said friction surface.

8. In a clutch, a pair of clutch members, one of said clutch members having a friction surface, a band shoe adapted to expand and engage said friction surface, means for supporting said band shoe intermediate its ends on the other clutch member, constructed to permit free movement of said shoe at its point of support toward, along, and transversely of said friction surface, an actuator, links connecting said actuator with ring toward and from said friction surfaceV at its point of support, toggle links connecting the free ends of said ring, an actuator connected to-said toggle links, and means for supporting said toggle links on said second clutch/member, constructed andarranged to permit free movement of said toggle links toward and from and circumferentially of said friction surface. 1

10. In a clutch, a pair of clutch members,

one of said clutch members having a friction surface, a band clutch ring adapted to expand and engage said friction surface, means for supporting said ring intermediate its ends on the other clutch member, constructed to 'permit free movement. of said ring toward and along said friction surface at its point of support, toggle links connecting the free ends of said ring, an actuator connected to said toggle links, and means for supporting said toggle links: on said second clutch member, constructedand arranged to permit free movement of said toggle links toward and along said friction surface.

11. VIn a clutch, a pair of clutch members, one of said clutch members having a friction surface, a band clutch ring adapted to eX- pand and engage said friction surface,means for supporting said ring intermediate its ends on the other clutch member, constructed to permit free movement of said ring to- Ward, along, and transversely of said friction surface at its point of support, toggle links connecting the free ends of said ring, an actuator connected to said toggle links, and means for supporting said toggle links on said second clutch member, constructed and arranged to permit free movement of said toggle links toward, along, and transversely of said friction surface.

12. In a clutch, a pair of clutch members, one of said clutch members having a friction surface, a pair of clutch shoes adapted to move radially to engage said friction surface, means for supporting said shoes on the other clutch member, constructed to permit free movementof said shoes at their points of support toward and circumferentially of said friction surface, and means loosely connected to said shoes for moving them into engagement with said friction surface, constructed and arranged to equalize the movements of said shoes into engagement With said friction surface and cause them to bear equally on said friction surface.

13. In a clutch, a pair of clutch members, one of said clutch members having a friction surface, a pair of clutch shoes adapted .to move radially to engage said friction surface, means forsupporting said shoes on the Y moving them into engagement "Withj said friction surface, constructed and arranged to equalize the movements of said-shoes into engagement WithV said friction. surface and cause them to bear equally on said nfriction surface.V

14; In a clutch-,a pair of clutch members, one of said clutch members having a; friction surface, a clutch shoe adapted to expand andV engage said friction surface, means vfor supporting said clutch shoe intermediate its L ends on the other clutch member, constructed to. permit free movement 'of said shoe aty its point of support toward and circumferentially of said friction surface, and means loosely connected to the free ends of said shoe forf moving said shoe into engagement With said-friction surface, constructed and arranged to center said shoe and equalize the movements of the ends of said shoe into engagement with said friction surface.

'15. In a clutch,.a pair ofvclutch members, one of said clutchmembers having-a friction surface, a clutch shoe adapted to expand and engage said friction surface, .means for supporting said clutch shoe intermediate its ends on the other clutch member, constructed to permit free movement of said shoe at its lpoint of support toward, transversely and circumferentially of said friction surface, andmeans 'loosely connected to the free eea ends of said shoe for moving said shoe'into l engagement With said friction surface, constructed and arranged to center said shoe and equalize the movements of the ends of said shoe into kengagement With said friction surface. f

16. In a clutch, a pair of clutch members, one of said clutch members having a friction surface, a pair of clutch shoes adapted to move radially to engage said friction surface, means for supporting said shoes intermediate their ends on the other clutch member, constructed to permit free movement of said shoes at their points of support toward and circumferentially of said friction surface, and means loosely .connected to the free ends of said shoes for moving them into engagement With said friction surface, constructed and arranged toequalize the movements of said shoes into engagement with said friction surface and causethem to bear equallyon said friction surface.

17. In a clutch, a pair of clutch members, one of said clutch members having an inside friction surface, a pair of flexible band shoes adapted to expand and engage said friction surface, means for supporting said shoes intermediate their ends on the other clutch member, constructed to permit free movement of said shoes at their points of support toward and from said friction surface, and means loosely connected to the free ends of said shoes for expanding and moving them uniformly along their entire lengths radially toward said friction surface, constructed and arranged to equalize the movements of said shoes into engagement with said friction surface and cause them to bear equally on. said friction surface. A

18. ln a clutch, a pair of clutch members, one of said'clutch members having an inside friction surface, a pair of iexible band shoes adapted to expand and engage said friction surface, means for supporting said shoes intermediate their ends on the other clutch member, constructed to permit free movement of said shoes at their points of support toward and from said friction surface, and means loosely connected to the free ends of said shoes for moving them radially toward and from said friction surface, constructed and arranged to equalize the movements of said shoes and cause them to bear equally on the friction surface.

19. ln a clutch, a pair of clutch members, one of said clutch members having an inside friction surface, a pair of flexible band shoes adapted to expand and engage said friction surface, means for supporting Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the said shoes intermediate their ends on the other clutch member, constructed to permit free movement of said shoes at their points of support toward and from said friction surface, a clutch actuator, and means connecting the free ends of said shoes With said actuator for expanding and moving said shoes into engagement with said friction surface, constructed and arranged to permit independent movement of the ends of said shoes to equalize the movement of said shoes into engagement with said friction surface and cause them to bear equally on said friction surface.

20. in a clutch, a pair of clutch members, one of said clutch members having an inside friction surface, a pair of flexible band shoes adapted to expand and engage said friction surface, means for supporting said shoes intermediate their ends on the other clutch member for pivotal and radial sliding movement toward and from said friction surface, a clutch actuator, andmeans connecting the free ends of said shoes With said actuator for expanding and moving said shoes into engagement with said friction surface, constructed and arranged to permit independent movement of the ends of said shoes into engagement With said friction surface and cause them to bear equally on said friction surface.

In testimony vvhereof l affix my signature in the presence of these two Witnesses.

OTTO G. PFEFFER.

lVitnesses:

J. H. BRUNINGA, O. J. GROEBEL, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

